Jiu Yue was granted permission to return and rest.
However, Sima Qing and the other three remained in the study, their moods growing increasingly peculiar.
Qiu Dongfang stroked his chin and mused, "Earlier, Jiu Yue told me that Prince Ping was her enemy. Yet this time, even Prince Ping’s daughter recognized her, and she still showed no reaction. It seems her memory loss might be genuine."
Mo Jin raised an objection, "How can we be sure the young lady recognized her? Jiu Yue said they only met once before in the palace... Besides, on the day the prince was assassinated, Jiu Yue didn’t look like this."
Qiu Dongfang added, "She’s never mentioned Prince Ping in front of us. Who knows if it’s intentional or not?"
"Maybe she’s afraid that saying too much would expose her?" Mo Jin remained skeptical. He glanced at Fu Yu, who was lost in thought, hoping for his agreement. "Fu Yu, what do you think?"
The three of them turned to him in unison.
Fu Yu blinked, then looked up and said, "I think Jiu Yue asked the wrong question. His Highness is only 25—he’s not that old."
The other three: "..."
Qiu Dongfang couldn’t help but clap. "Brilliant, Fu Yu. If Jiu Yue ends up serving His Highness, you two will definitely get along the best."
Mo Jin felt conflicted—somehow, it was like watching his own child being led astray.
Sima Qing was similarly silent.
He had always considered Fu Yu the most composed and steady among them. How had he suddenly become like this?
Hearing Qiu Dongfang’s words, Fu Yu nodded in agreement. "Actually, I lean toward the idea that Jiu Yue’s memory loss is real... Haven’t you noticed? She’s even more relaxed in the prince’s residence than His Highness himself."
If she were pretending to have amnesia to infiltrate the residence with ulterior motives, she would have slipped up by now, given how unguarded they’d been.
Mo Jin thought back and realized it was true.
Ever since Jiu Yue appeared, her routine in the residence consisted of climbing onto the roof to sunbathe or heading to the dining hall. Outside the residence, she either strolled through the streets or—again—ate.
The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with bewilderment.
"Enough," Sima Qing finally spoke. "Whether her memory loss is real or fake doesn’t matter anymore. What’s important is that she doesn’t escape."
The others bowed their heads in unison. "Understood."
Sima Qing pinched the bridge of his nose and turned toward the window. "Dawn is approaching. Prepare yourselves—I must go to the palace."
Jiu Yue, however, found it hard to sleep.
Her mind was still occupied with thoughts of Prince Ping and Xue’er.
There was no way Xue’er had been taken to the Yanyu Pavilion without reason. Given her status, unless Prince Ping had authorized it, Ma Dachun wouldn’t dare lay a finger on her even if he had a hundred lives to spare!
So what was Prince Ping’s motive?
At the Yanyu Pavilion, Yi Yao had recognized her. It was entirely possible others had too and might have already reported back to Prince Ping... Sure, it was said Prince Ping had left the capital, but what if that was a ruse and he was still hiding somewhere in the city?
If that were the case, then Prince Ping already knew her whereabouts tonight.
For all she knew, Xue’er was nothing more than bait set by Prince Ping!
Despicable! Absolutely despicable!
Jiu Yue gritted her teeth. Though she couldn’t fully grasp the maternal instincts of her original self, just imagining it—Xue’er was still so young! Even beasts wouldn’t harm their own offspring, yet Prince Ping was willing to use his own daughter as a pawn!
Was that old bastard even human?
The more she thought about it, the more she felt she couldn’t just sit and wait. Sleep was out of the question now. She flipped up from the bed with a determined leap and stormed out the door... only to find Qiu Dongfang sprawled on the ground.
"...What are you doing?" Jiu Yue asked, her expression odd.
Qiu Dongfang sprang to his feet and raised an eyebrow at her. "Nothing much. Just tired, so I took a little rest on the ground... Where are you headed?"
Dawn was nearly breaking.
Jiu Yue scratched her head, not daring to tell the truth—
What a joke. Though she hadn’t fully grasped the political landscape of the capital, Nan Xun had warned her that while the noble families appeared cordial on the surface, behind the scenes, they were all scheming to destroy each other.
Jiu Yue certainly couldn’t admit that she might have some unspeakable connection to Prince Ping.
Besides, she had just told Qiu Dongfang that Prince Ping was her enemy. If she suddenly blurted out, "Prince Ping and I have a child together," who would believe her???
The thought nearly made her laugh. She waved her hand dismissively and gave a vague reply. "I just remembered His Highness told me to stick close for protection... By the way, what’s going to happen to Prince Ping’s child?"
Qiu Dongfang answered, "His Highness has already taken the child to the palace."
Jiu Yue seized the opportunity to ask, "Why was Prince Ping’s child being raised in the palace in the first place?"
"Prince Ping went to Qingnan to oversee flood relief. With no mistress in his household, he requested the Emperor’s assistance in looking after her," Qiu Dongfang explained.
"...The Emperor must be quite accommodating," Jiu Yue muttered, scratching her cheek.
"That, I wouldn’t know," Qiu Dongfang said with a shrug before steering the conversation back. "So, are you planning to catch up with His Highness now?"
Jiu Yue snapped back to attention. "Yes, of course. If I don’t, he’ll dock me fifty taels of silver!"
With that, she hurried off.
Qiu Dongfang lingered for a moment before following.
Jiu Yue didn’t head straight for the palace. Instead, she took a detour to Prince Ping’s residence.
She needed to see for herself to be sure.
Prince Ping’s residence was located in the eastern district.
At this early hour, the streets were empty, allowing Jiu Yue to use her qinggong without restraint. She arrived near the residence in no time.
Remembering Nan Xun’s warning that Prince Ping was surrounded by skilled fighters, Jiu Yue refrained from barging in recklessly.
If Prince Ping really was hiding inside, wouldn’t she be walking straight into a trap?
Not a chance.
So she cautiously scouted the area first... and ultimately decided to scale the front gate.
The most dangerous place was often the safest. While guards patrolled the perimeter, the main entrance was comparatively less guarded.
Once inside, Jiu Yue noticed that Prince Ping’s residence wasn’t all that different from the regent’s—though elegantly designed and lavishly decorated, it carried an air of desolation.
Strangely, she seemed to recognize parts of it. Fragments of memory flashed in her mind, matching the layout of the residence perfectly.
She made her way to the rear courtyard. As Qiu Dongfang had said, there was no mistress here—not even a concubine.
Then, the scent of blood hit her nostrils.
Jiu Yue paused, following the smell until she reached a dilapidated courtyard she had no recollection of.
...How could a place like this exist in Prince Ping’s residence? The ground here wasn’t even paved—just bare earth.
Weeds sprouted wildly, and stagnant water pooled in the corners, emitting a foul stench.
Even Sima Qing’s firewood shed was better than this!
Jiu Yue clicked her tongue, quietly perching on a beam to survey the area. Just then, a maid emerged from a small side door, her face expressionless as she began sweeping the courtyard.
This place was beyond cleaning.
Jiu Yue shook her head and prepared to leave—she still needed to confirm whether Prince Ping was hiding here.
But the moment her foot touched the ground, a sharp gust of wind lashed out at her.
Jiu Yue frowned, stepping back as wooden needles materialized between her fingers.
She turned to face the maid, whose cold gaze locked onto her.
